Passports

A passport is an official document issued by a government, certifying the holder's identity and citizenship and entitling them to travel under its protection to and from foreign countries. All students traveling outside of the U.S. MUST have a passport. Plan to apply for your passport well in advance of your program. The US Passport Agency processes routine applications in approximately 4–6 weeks from the time of application. If needed, you can request Expedited Service for an additional fee.

Expedited processing typically takes around 2-3 weeks. If you already have a passport, double check the expiration date. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you intend to return from your study abroad program.

If you already have a passport, double check the expiration date. The passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you intend to return from your study abroad program.

Even if you are not sure you will be studying abroad for next semester, you should apply now. A passport is always a good thing to have, and they are valid for 10 years.

Need to Apply?

Visas

A visa is official permission for a passport holder to enter another country for a specific length of time and for a specific purpose. For many countries, particularly in Europe, a stay under 90 days does not require a visa for US citizens - although different requirements can exist for citizens of other countries. To research if visas are needed, Miami encourages students to use A Briggs. Log-in here to access Miami’s account. It is also a good idea to check with your program director because some programs are able to apply for visas as a group. Ultimately it is the traveling student's responsibility to ensure they have the legal right to enter the study abroad country.

If you are an international student, note that you have additional requirements related to your US visa. Learn more at online, or contact International Student and Scholar Services with questions.